Archive for June, 2006

Yesterday I had lunch with Erica, friend from High School, and we discussed pretty much what most friends discuss at our age: the direction of people’s lives.

One of the things that everyone seems to debate at this age is do what you want now or do what is best for the long term. Erica is entering a doctoral program in food chemistry. She is extraordinarily bright and will be good at whatever she does. However, we discussed what you do with a food chemistry PhD.

First, she could become a professor and reasearch how certain parts of food that are part of the photosynthesis process could be used as something similar to vitamins. Or she could work for Hostess making a Twinkee or Ho Ho achieve its thirtieth year of shelf life. As a professor, she would not make as much money, spend hours in the lab, and be a slave to grant writing. At Hostess, she could work 9-5, contribute to the obesity problem of this country, and cash a nice paycheck.

The way Erica is approaching it is go for Yoplait. Is she still selling out her soul a little ‘bit and going to the private sector, yes. However, she is not doing it to the extent of Hostess.

I find myself in a similar situation. If I could, I would love to work in politics for the next ten years, but I am 95% certain I do not want to the 10 years after that. Therefore, I am puzzled of what to do… With a conversation I had with one person at the DLCC, he described his position as working on campaigns and for caucuses for years, then the DLCC, and he will eventually submit to the dark side and work for a mail house.

In politics, it seems that eventually if you want the money and comfortable life, you go to the Dark Side, lobbying or some media firm. It is not glamerous, you don’t work for any real noble cause, but you cash in on the (Hostess) dollars.

Working a campaign means long hours, little pay, but enjoyable work a lot of the time. You can only do it if you love it, but I know the novelty and fun will wear off quick. Also, the pay scale really does stink. You will never have a job for more than a couple of years, which means little stability.

One could work in DC for a Member or Senator. However, this means living in DC. I am okay with this, but the pay is not fantastic. Also, if you plan to move up the ranks, to chief of staff or something, you seem to travel a lot. Therefore, it would be a lot of time away from family or your roots.

One could work for a party organization, but turnover is very high amongst these from Cycle to Cycle. You don’t get the benefits of really being in charge, and you push a lot of paper. The DLCC honestly seems to be one of the best organizations to work for. However, to become a political director, you must put your time in out in the field, which is only logical.

Basically, I would love to find my Yoplait. When I am thirty, do I want to work for Hostess? Or should I go more academic, which provides a more stable job but without the excitement.

There has been a lot of trouble stirred up in Missouri about campaign workers posting stuff online. However, I do have to note that I almost hit Gov. Holden with my car today as I was pulling into the parking lot across the street from Democrat Headquarters.

It was just one of those he popped out of no where things, and I was turning quickly. I stopped with plenty of space. He smiled, waved, and proceeded on.

It was surreal just to see the former Governor walk out of a parking lot alone.